Toy structure utilizing a container

ABSTRACT

Flexible resilient, e.g., plastic, caps are provided for containers, e.g., beverage cans, such caps being mounted at each end of the container, each such cap having a plurality of forkshaped connector grips around the periphery of the cap, and a center grip and an adjacent slot in the center of the cap, so that the cans can be connected together in any desired manner, for example one atop the other and/or across each other, to provide a multiplicity of construction configurations.

United States Patent 1191 Kander 1111 3,815,281 June 11, 1974 TOY STRUCTURE UTILIZING A 11/1964 Bossiere 46/l7 x CONTAINER 3,422,564 1/1969 lzumi 46/23 X 3,640,0l8 2/l972 Light 46/29 [76] Inventor: Abdenoor Kander, 22 34 essem r 3,751,098 8/1973 Owen 220/214 St., Woodland Hills, Calif. 91364 [22] Filed: July 20, 1973 Primary Examiner-Antonio F. Guida Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever [2]] Appl- 381,147 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Max Geldin [52] US. Cl 46/11, 46/17, 220/234, [57] ABSTRACT [51] I t Cl ffgg; Flexible resilient, e.g., plastic, caps are provided for- [58] 220/97 B containers, e.g., beverage cans, such caps being 0 can 4 23 mounted at each end of the container, each such cap having a plurality of fork-shaped connector grips around the periphery of the cap, and a center grip and [56] References C'ted an adjacent slot in the center of the cap, so that the UNITED STATES PATENTS cans can be connected together in any desired man- 2,674,535 4/l954 Meisler 220/97 B ner, for example one atop the other and/0r across 2,937,601 10/1960 lgloviclcml 5220/9 each other, to provide a multiplicity of construction ,0 8,991 4 I962 cott eta 0 23.4 f 3,038,599 6/l962 Poupitch 220/234 X con gum Ions 3,134,485 5/1964 Bonkowski et al. 220/23.4 X 12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U .S. Pat. No. 3,154,882 discloses a toy vehicle formed from a beverage can, having end brackets attached thereto, with means for mounting wheels at the respective lower corners of each bracket.

US. Pat. No. 3,713,247 discloses a bottle top attachment having a plurality of tongue and groove formations at opposite ends of a diameter, so that such attachments may be joined together in side-by-side relation, with projections mounted at the top of the cap to receive wheels to form a cart.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly versatile toy utilizing conventional beverage cans, with the I provision of a plurality of attaching means which can be readily mounted at each end of the can, so that a plurality of cans are permitted to be attached together either s ide-by-side, stacked, or crosswise of each other at various angles, to achieve a wide variety of interesting structures.

A particular object of the invention is to form such The invention will be more readily understood by the description below of certain preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the detailed description below is not to be taken as limitative.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal partial sectional view of a toy according to the invention, comprising a beverage can attaching means from readily molded flexible, resilient plastic caps furnished with grippers around the periphery of each cap as well as an outwardly extending gripping member mounted, preferably, adjacent the center of the cap, for achieving the above-noted versatility for producing a wide variation of toy structures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The above and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by the provision of flexible, resilient, preferably molded plastic, caps of a size and shape for suitable mounting at each end of a beverage can, each cap having a flange mounted thereon, such flange having a plurality of fork-shaped connector grips positioned around the periphery of such flange, and means, preferably in the form of an additional outwardly extending grip member, mounted on the cap interiorly of the flange, preferably adjacent the center thereof, and a slot also disposed in the cap interiorly of the flange, and preferably adjacent to the lastmentioned grip member.

By provision of the above-noted flexible resilient caps on each end of a beverage can, the fork-shaped connector grips on the periphery of the caps on adjacent cans can be connected together, so that a pluarlity of cans can be attached in side-by-side relation, and by provision of the above-noted center grip and adjacent slot on each cap, top and bottom caps on adjacent cans can be connected together, whereby a number of cans can also be stacked in vertical relation. Further, such center grip member is also designed to be attachable to the fork-shaped connector grips on the periphery of the caps, to provide additional versatility in constructing a large number of variations of toy structures. As an ad ditional feature, if desired, a surface of the fork-shaped connector grips can be roughened or serrated to provide a more positive. gripping action.

having caps according to the invention mounted on each end of the can;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a cap according to the invention principles, utilized inthe combination of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the manner of attachment of the peripheral connector grips on the caps of adjacent cans, relation;

FIG. 4 illustrates the method of attachment of the caps of the invention,illustrated in FIG. 2, one stop the other for stacking cans in vertical relation;

FIG. 5 illustrates the many variations of attachment of the can-cap assemblies of FIG. 1, for producing a wide variation of toy structures;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of cap according to the invention, including serrations provided on the peripheral connector grips for more positive engagement of the connector grips on the caps of adjacent cans;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view in elevation of the serrated connector grips of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a modification of the serrated confor connecting the cans in side-by-side nector grips of FIG. 6 and 7; and

FIG. 9 isan enlarged detail taken around line 99 of FIG. 5, illustrating connection of cans perpendicular to each other.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, numeral 10 illustrates a typical beverage. can. Around the upper rim 11 and bottom portion 13 at opposite ends of the can 10 are mounted identical flexible, resilient caps 12 which preferably are formed of molded plastic material having characteristics of flexibility, resilience and strength, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

Each of the caps 12 is provided with a flange 14 aroundthe peripheral edge of a flat plate-like member 16, the flange extending normal to the plate-like member 16. The inner diameter of flange I4 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the can 10, and the length of the flange 14 in such that when the flange 14 of a cap is positioned around an end of the can, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the flange is in firm frictional engagement with the outer surface of the adjacent end portion of the can, with the adjacent extreme outer edge of the can substantially in contact with. the inside surface of the cap 12, adjacent the flange, e.g., as indicated at 18.

Mounted around the periphery of the flange 14 of each cap, are a plurality of fork-shaped connector grips 20, here illustrated as eight in number, the connector grips being equally peripherally spaced from each other. The fork-shaped peripheral connector grips 20 are each comprised of a pair of spaced lobes or prongs 22, with a central groove 24 provided between the lobes. The fork-shaped connector grips 20 are designed particularly for connecting cans in adjacent side-byside relation, as will be described in greater detail be low.

Mounted adjacent the center of the flat portion 16 of each ofthe caps 12 is a center grip 26, in the form of a lug which is substantially planar in form, such center grip extending outwardly substantially normal to the plate 16. Adjacent to the center grip 26 is provided a slot 28, of sufficient length and width to receive the center grip 26 of an adjacent cap on another can. The slot 28, it will be noted, is in alignment with the plane of the center grip 26. The center grip 26, in conjunction with the adjacent slot 28, is designed particularly for attaching adjacent cans in stacked relation, as will be described in detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawing, there is shown the method of connecting the caps of the invention in adjacent side-by-side relation, whereby adjacent cans are connected in adjacent side-by-side relation. Thus, it is seen that the central groove 24a of a connector grip 20a on one cap 12a, receives one of the lobes 22b of a connector grip 20b on another cap 12b. At the same time, groove 24b of the connector grip 20b on cap 12b, receives one of the lobes 24a of the connector grip 20a of the first cap 12a. Thus there is in .effect formed a tongue and groove connection between the respective fork-shaped connector grips 20a and 20b of adjacent caps 12a and 12b, respectively.

FIG. 4 illustrates the method of connecting the caps of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 2, in a vertical relation one atop the other for the connection of cans 10 in vertical or stacked relation. Thus, the center grip or lug 260 on cap 12c is received in the slot 28d of cap 12d, while at the same time the center grip or lug 26d of cap 12d is received in the slot 280 of cap 12c. Thus, assuming that cap 120 is connected to the top of a can 10c, and the cap 12d is connected to the bottom of a can 10d, the latter can will be connected to can 100 in a stacked or vertical relation.

The center grip or lug 26 on cap 12 is also of a thickness such that it can be received within the central groove 24 of the fork-shaped peripheral connector grips 20. This permits a pair of caps to be connected so that adjacent caps are positioned normal or perpendicular to each other. This type of connection is illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein the center grip 26s of a cap 122 is received by and connected to a side or peripheral forkshaped connector grip 20f of another cap 12f. This arrangement accordingly attaches can 10f in a position perpendicular to can lfle. A similar arrangement is illustrated by the attachment of the center grip 26g on cap 12g to the fork-shaped peripheral connector grips 20h and 20j on caps 12h and l2j. This arrangement connects the can 10g in a horizontal or perpendicular position to the vertically stacked cans ltlj and 10h. Such arrangement is more clearly illustrated in the enlarged detail shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 5 further shows the versatility and wide variation in constructing any number of structures, utilizing the combination cap and can toy construction of the invention. Thus, FIG. 5 illustrates how, by means of the caps mounted on a beverage can, according to the invention, the cans can be arranged in side-by-side attached relation, in stacked relation one atop the other, in a relation perpendicular to each other, and at angles other than a right angle to each other, as illustrated by the attachment of can k to can 10h, and can 10m to can 10n. I

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a modification of the forkshaped peripheral connector grips on flange 14,

wherein straight vertical serrations or ribs 30 are connected to the interior surface of a lobe 22a, within the central groove 24, and to the exterior surface of the adjacent lobe 22b, to provide a more firm and positive frictional gripping of the corresponding lobes of adjacent caps when the connector grips of adjacent caps are secured together, as illustrated in FIG. 3. If desired, such serrations can also be disposed at an angle, e.g. of about 45, to the vertical.

FIG. 8 illustrates another modification wherein the serrations or ribs 32 are arcuate, to more readily connect adjacent connector grips 20 at different angles, instead of employing the straight ribs 30 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Alternatively, instead of employing serrations as in FIGS. 6 to 8, the surfaces of the connector grips 20 can be roughened or stippled to increase the frictional connecting action between coacting grips on adjacent caps.

It will be understood that the cap of the invention, illustrated at 12 in the drawing, and including the flange 14, the fork-shaped peripheral connector grips20 and the center grip 26, can be molded as a unitary piece.

It will also be understood that various modifications of the invention illustrated in the drawings and described above can be made. Thus for example there can be employed any desired number of fork-shaped peripheral connector grips 20 and such connector grips, if desired, can be unequally spaced from each other. Also, for example, the slot 28 for receiving the center grip or lug 26 can be spaced off-center on the plate member 16 of the cap, and the connector grip 26 also displaced off-center on plate 16.

Although the invention principle has been described above with respect to its applicability to beverage cans, it will be understood that any suitable cylindrical-type configuration or container can be used, including cylinders, cups and the like. Further, geometric configurations, either tubular or solid, and having a cross section of any desired shape can be employed, such as configurations of circular, elliptical and polygonal, e.g., square, cross-section, and utilizing caps according to the invention, of corresponding circular, elliptical or polygonal shape. Also, the configurations or containers employed can be such that caps of the same size and shape are mounted at each end of a geometric configuration or container, as described above and illustrated in the drawings, or caps of different sizes and shapes can be mounted at opposite ends of such configuration or container, depending on the shape thereof.

Further, it will be understood that the above noted geometric configuration, container or beverage can on which the invention caps are mounted can be composed of any suitable material such as metal, paper, cardboard, wood, plastics, and the like. Also, although the invention caps preferably are formed of plastics, they can be constructed of other materials such as wood, metal, paper or cardboard, and such caps can be composed of rigid as well as flexible materials.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the invention provides a simple cap structure preferably formed of flexible resilient, particularly plastic, material, which can readily be fitted over opposite ends, e.g., of a container such as a conventional beverage can, and the containers or cans with such caps mounted thereon can be connected together in a myriad of configurations, as a toy for the interest and pleasure of children.

Since various other modifications than those described above and illustrated in the drawing will become apparent, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be taken as limited except by the scope of the appended claims.

l claim;

1. For use in combination with a container, beverage can or the like; a cap having a peripheral flange for receiving an end of such container, said flange having a 1 plurality of fork-shaped connector grips spaced peripherally on said flange, an outwardly extending grip member mounted on said cap interiorly of said flange, and means on said cap interiorly of said flange for receiving the grip member of another cap.

2. The article as defined in claim 1, said cap being flexible and resilient, said grip member being in the form of an outwardly extending lug, and said means for receiving the grip member of another cap being a slot in said first mentioned cap.

3. The article as defined in claim 2, said lug being mounted at approximately the center of said cap, and said slot being located at approximately the center of said cap and closely adjacent to said lug.

4. In combination with a container, beverage can, or the like, a cap mounted on each end of said container, each cap having a peripheral flange receiving an end of said container, said flange having a plurality of'forkshaped connector grips spaced peripherally on said flange, an outwardly extending grip member mounted on said cap interiorly of said flange, and means on said cap interiorly of said flange for receiving the grip member of another cap mounted on another container.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4, said cap including a flat plate-like member, said peripheral flange being mounted on the peripheral edge of said plate-like member and extending normal to said last mentioned member.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5, said flange being continuous and having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of said container and in firm frictional engagement with the periphery of said container, said grip member being in the form of an outwardly extending lug, mounted on said plate-like member, and said means for receiving the grip member of another cap mounted on another container, being a slot in said plate-like member of said first mentioned cap.

7. The combination as defined in claim 6, said cap being a flexible resilient cap formed of unitary molded material, said lug being. mounted at approximately the center of said plate-like member, and said slot being located at approximately the center of said plate-like member and closely adjacent to said lug, said forkshaped connector grips each comprising a pair of lobes, and a central groove between said lobes, whereby a lobe of one of said connector grips on the cap of one container can be received within the groove of a connector grip on the cap of another container, and whereby said outwardly extending lug mounted on the cap on one container can be received within the slot of another cap on another container.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7, said lug being substantially planar in form, and extending outwardly substantially normal to said plate-like member,- said lug having a thickness so that. it can be received within said central groove of a fork-shaped connector grip of another cap.

9. The combination as defined in claim 8, said forkshaped connector grips being approximately equally spaced around the periphery of said flange. 

1. For use in combination with a container, beverage can or the like; a cap having a peripheral flange for receiving an end of such container, said flange having a plurality of fork-shaped connector grips spaced peripherally on said flange, an outwardly extending grip member mounted on said cap interiorly of said flange, and means on said cap interiorly of said flange for receiving the grip member of another cap.
 2. The article as defined in claim 1, said cap being flexible and resilient, said grip member being in the form of an outwardly extending lug, and said means for receiving the grip member of another cap being a slot in said first mentioned cap.
 3. The article as defined in claim 2, said lug being mounted at approximately the center of said cap, and said slot being lOcated at approximately the center of said cap and closely adjacent to said lug.
 4. In combination with a container, beverage can, or the like, a cap mounted on each end of said container, each cap having a peripheral flange receiving an end of said container, said flange having a plurality of fork-shaped connector grips spaced peripherally on said flange, an outwardly extending grip member mounted on said cap interiorly of said flange, and means on said cap interiorly of said flange for receiving the grip member of another cap mounted on another container.
 5. The combination as defined in claim 4, said cap including a flat plate-like member, said peripheral flange being mounted on the peripheral edge of said plate-like member and extending normal to said last mentioned member.
 6. The combination as defined in claim 5, said flange being continuous and having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of said container and in firm frictional engagement with the periphery of said container, said grip member being in the form of an outwardly extending lug, mounted on said plate-like member, and said means for receiving the grip member of another cap mounted on another container, being a slot in said plate-like member of said first mentioned cap.
 7. The combination as defined in claim 6, said cap being a flexible resilient cap formed of unitary molded material, said lug being mounted at approximately the center of said plate-like member, and said slot being located at approximately the center of said plate-like member and closely adjacent to said lug, said fork-shaped connector grips each comprising a pair of lobes, and a central groove between said lobes, whereby a lobe of one of said connector grips on the cap of one container can be received within the groove of a connector grip on the cap of another container, and whereby said outwardly extending lug mounted on the cap on one container can be received within the slot of another cap on another container.
 8. The combination as defined in claim 7, said lug being substantially planar in form, and extending outwardly substantially normal to said plate-like member, said lug having a thickness so that it can be received within said central groove of a fork-shaped connector grip of another cap.
 9. The combination as defined in claim 8, said fork-shaped connector grips being approximately equally spaced around the periphery of said flange.
 10. The combination as defined in claim 4, said cap being formed of molded plastic.
 11. The combination as defined in claim 4, a surface of said fork-shaped connector grips being serrated.
 12. The combination as defined in claim 9, a surface of at least one lobe of said fork-shaped connector grips having serrations thereon, said cap being formed of molded polyethylene or polypropylene. 